I am Sainting all the people who took time to water their trees during this hot dry spell. Since the trees are unable to come into your air-conditioned homes and ask for a drink, I am thanking you on their behalf.

Margaret Turk, St. Paul

Sainted

I would love to offer a HUGE SAINTED to the neighbors along the Woodbury Days Parade in Woodbury.

The South Washington County high schools’ combined marching bands of Woodbury, East Ridge, and Park marched in the parade on Sunday, Aug. 25. Neighbors refilled our watering cans three times en route so we could continue to hydrate our wonderful marching students.

Thank you so much!

Sheila Cain, Woodbury

The writer is the parent volunteer and band booster who drove the cart that carried the water.

Sainted & Tainted

Sainted: all of those brave souls who marched in the Mall Parade at the State Fair on Monday the 26th. The heat was horrid, but everyone was smiling, enthused and put on a great show.

Tainted: those in the crowd who thought nothing of dashing across the streets — integrating themselves with the marchers, even. Come on, guys — did the heat melt away your courtesy and respect?

If you were in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, I think you’d cut into the Rose Bowl parade.

Pat Steiner, Blaine

Sainted

The last night of the Ramsey County Fair, a friend and I went to pick up some entries I had in the exhibit hall. Since the items were not going to be released till a little later, we went to watch the talent contest. It just so happened that two of my friend’s grandchildren were competing. We arrived just in time to watch them. One of them actually advanced to the State Fair competition. We then walked around the fairgrounds, looking at everything we could.

As the time arrived for me to pick up my entries, I moved my vehicle right outside the exhibit barn. The fair staff expedited releasing the items very quickly, courteously, and kindly … even after working five long days at a record-attendance fair. I was amazed.

Anyway, I loaded my car and we hopped in ready to go home. My @&* car would not start. Immediately, two people stopped to offer assistance with jumper cables and attempted to jump-start my car — to no avail. All my car did was click, click, click.

Fortunately, I had made a call to AAA, just in case. However, I was not categorized as a priority need, so we would need to wait a bit.

We sat people-watching. The carnival staff was disassembling everything — all the carnival rides, etc. As we sat waiting, several people stopped to see if they could help. These people were not fairgoers; they were individuals who had worked at the fair or had booths. They were friendly, watchful, and kept checking in with us to see if we were OK. They were wonderful! AAA also kept calling to keep me informed of their status. It made waiting quite pleasant.

AAA finally arrived and started my car. As soon as I turned the lights on, my car went dead again. AAA started it again and told me to “go home, do not stop.” I did drop off my friend and make it home. The next day, we had to replace the battery.

The Sainted here are all the wonderful, gracious people who made our wait so pleasurable, who made us feel safe, watched over, and cared for. Thank you, whoever you were!

Barbara Callahan, Shoreview

Tainted

Oh, so Tainted: the woman in the Rice Street/County Road B Cub this midday.

The slow person you were so nastily taunting and huffing at, while you shoved through to get ahead of her? That was a disabled veteran, injured in service to this country. I have to grocery-shop, too; there’s no Cripple Day for us so we don’t inconvenience you. So sorry I cannot shop at your pace. I am sure your elderly mother appreciated being dragged like a recalcitrant dog behind the cart you were yanking along, too. She was hanging on to it so she could walk without falling, and you were in such a rush to get to the fresh peaches, you couldn’t even consider that there are other people in the world who would be more than happy to walk at your pace IF THEY COULD. Don’t ever show your nasty face at a Veterans Day parade. And don’t ever brag to your friends about how well you care for your elderly mother. Somehow I imagine there were still peaches left for you, even though you were so slowed down by my crippled self.

Jenn Carter Malinski, Roseville

Tainted

I had made arrangements with the Vietnam Veterans of America to pick up a donation. Pickup was scheduled for Aug. 13. Bags/boxes were placed by the curb the previous evening and marked “VVA” as directed; VVA would pick up the following morning starting at 8 a.m.

All was said and done, but much to my chagrin, when I looked out the next morning (well before 8 a.m.), everything was gone — with the exception of a box containing dishes. The only things taken were the bags of clothes.

This makes me wonder just how low some people can stoop.

I faithfully make donations for the veterans during the year, but after this incident, I will do things differently.

I truly hope the guilty person has a conscience, but I rather doubt it. Shame on you, whoever you are!

Arlene Capistrant, North St. Paul

Sainted

On one of the hottest days of the year, Aug. 28, I got a phone call from my wife saying that my dad’s car had quit running behind Costco in Maplewood. When I pulled up, just my dad and this young man were standing there. I asked where my mom was, and the young man said that he had given her a ride to the gas station to use the restroom. That’s what I call a true gentleman — helping out a senior-citizen, stranded couple on the side of the road. He went above and beyond just being a nice guy.

I hope you read this someday. And I sure hope I run into you again, to say thank very much for helping my parents.

Special thanks from the Patocks.

Thomas Patock, Vadnais Heights

Tainted

Tainted: the person who stole a hosta from my front yard in North St. Paul; you took a prized plant my brother gave me for my birthday. The name of that hosta is Andrew (my name as well). If you would have had the decency to stop by sometime and talk with me about gardening, I would have loved to split a piece of it with you. I hope it looks good in your garden, and every time you see it, think of me!

Andrew Panek, North St. Paul

Sainted

I would like to Saint the White Bear Animal Hospital for their kindness and sincerity.

Last Tuesday, I had to unexpectedly take my beloved Brittany spaniel dog, Barney, to the vet for injuries that were nonreversible. I was in tears about the health of my dog. The kindness and compassion the staff shared with me will never be forgotten. All of them treated me with the utmost respect. They sat with me, they held my hand, they listened to me as I toiled with my decision concerning Barney. In the end, I had to make the difficult decision to let him pass on to a life free of pain.

Barney was treated in the same way in his last hour — with love and kindness, surrounded by bountiful compassion.

A very special thank to Dr. Gwen Zupancich, and to the vet techs, Bridget, Tina and Jenna, who went above and beyond to make my dog comfortable and loved — plus showing me compassion and solace while making one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.

Ann Marie Zeimetz, White Bear Lake

Sainted

A double Sainted for two great Metro Mobility drivers on Aug. 22, 2013.

The 9:30 a.m. gentleman couldn’t be more sensitive to my needs.

The 11:30 a.m. driver was just as cautious about my disability, since he’s picked me up when I wasn’t so handicapped.

GOD BLESS you fellas!

Julia Drabczak, Maplewood

Sainted

Sainted to Mike, a supervisor from Amtrak.

Last month, my dad and I took a wonderful trip to Chicago via the train. We had a fabulous time, and, with the help of his cane, my dad did a fine job on the longer walks as we toured the city.

We returned to St. Paul. After exiting the train, we realized that my dad had forgotten his cane. The car had already been disconnected. Mike said he would go look for the cane. When he couldn’t find it, he returned and asked if I’d like to go with him to look again. We found it! It was a fitting end to a great trip.

Thank you, Mike from Amtrak! You made our day.

Chad Cronin, St. Paul

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